Klerk, R. de (Rick) (2016) The acquisition and transfer of skill between regular handrim and pushrim activated power-assist wheelchairs in healthy novices. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Introduction The aim of the current study was to explore the initial skill acquisition in pushrim-activated power assist wheelchairs (PAPAWs) and examine the skill transfer from regular handrim wheelchairs to PAPAWs, and vice versa. It was hypothesized that regular handrim wheelchairs are easier to control, but are more physiologically demanding. It was also hypothesized that mechanical efficiency and control will improve over time in both propulsion modes. Moreover, a positive transfer of mechanical efficiency and control was expected between the two modes. Methods Twenty-four able-bodied participants were randomly allocated to either the regular handrim wheelchair group or the PAPAW group. The experiment consisted of a pre-test, three training sessions, and a post-test. After the post-test the participants switched condition in a transfer session. Each session consisted of three blocks of four minutes steady state wheelchair propulsion at 4 km/h on a motor-driven treadmill with two minutes of rest in between. Breath-by-breath spirometry and kinematics were recorded. The last minute of each four minute block was used for analysis. Results Both groups improved their (assisted) mechanical efficiency, reduced their right-left and forward-backward deviation, and had a lower rate of perceived exertion (RPE) during the post-test when compared with the pre-test. (Assisted) mechanical efficiency was higher for the PAPAW group than for the regular handrim group and RPE was lower. However, left-right and forward-backward deviance were also found to be higher in the PAPAW group. A positive transfer effect for (assisted) mechanical efficiency and energy expenditure were found when participants transferred from the PAPAW condition to the regular handrim condition. Conclusion Regular handrim wheelchair users and pushrim-activated power assist wheelchair (PAPAW) users improve their (assisted) mechanical efficiency, reduce their energy expenditure and stroke frequency, show a reduction in heart rate and rate of perceived exertion, and show less left-right and forward-backward deviance over time. Similar responses for both groups are seen for all variables except heart rate and forward-backward deviance. (Assisted) mechanical efficiency, energy expenditure and rate of perceived exertion were all lower for the PAPAW group. However, left-right and forward-backward deviance were found to be higher for the PAPAW group. A positive transfer effect from the PAPAW condition to the regular handrim condition was found for mechanical efficiency and energy expenditure. Keywords: papaw, assistive technology, mechanical efficiency, control, physiology, ergonomics
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Vegter, dr. R.J.K. and Woude, prof. dr. L.H.V. van der |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Apr 2022 12:07 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Apr 2022 12:07 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3157 |
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